Case Study #1
Czech Employee Card via D/VR Visa – Real case Study
The Czech Republic is a part of the European Union. Yet, it uses its own currency – the Czech crown (or ‘koruna’). Even though you can pay in euro in some shops or locals, there are pretty much always ridiculously elevated tourist rates. Therefore, we have prepared a thorough guide to ATMs, exchange offices, and banks in Prague to avoid getting ripped off and make the most out of your stay.
Most places around the city allow card payments. Anyway, it’s always better to have a couple of Czech crowns in cash. Some spots still don’t have card terminals, and you might also need coins for public transport.
The best way to obtain some Czech crowns is by withdrawing them from an ATM, though your own bank can charge you a transaction fee. However, most Czech banks offer relatively good rates.
It’s also important to always opt for an ATM in an actual bank. Avoid the stand-alone ATMs in random locations as those are notoriously known for their hidden fees and bad exchange rates.
If you happen to have euros (or dollars) in cash, you can get them exchanged. 1 euro is approximately 26 Czech crowns. There are a plethora of exchange offices in the center of Prague, but be careful where to go.
Always go to an official, well-marked office, and avoid street sellers. Also, beware of hidden fees and bad rates. Some exchange offices display two or even three boards with rates. Those vary depending on how much you want to exchange. The best rates are, of course, for large amounts of money.
Never sign anything before you are handed the money. Count them, and check them for fakes first. If something doesn’t seem right, don’t be afraid to complain.
Our favorite exchange office in Prague is eXchange in Kaprova 1 street near Old Town Square. They always have very good rates as well as great customer service.
Banks also offer fairly good exchange rates, although they usually charge a small commission fee.
If you’re planning to stay in Prague for longer, you might want to (or even need to) open a Czech bank account. It will especially come in handy if you plan to get employed here, as the majority of employers will require you to have a local bank account.
In general, you will need only two documents to open a bank account here as a foreigner. Those would be a valid passport and another identity document (your driver’s license, identity card, birth certificate, or resident card.) But every bank is different and we heard a lot that for no reasons some banks decline to open an account.
There are plenty of Czech banks to choose from. To make your life easier, we have prepared a short list of banks for foreigners in the Czech Republic.
A very popular bank is Ceske sporitelna. Not only do they provide services in English, Spanish, French, and German, but they also have an expat center. It is conveniently located in Rytirska street in the very heart of Prague.
ČSOB (Ceskoslovenska Obchodni Banka) is also an option. They offer various financial solutions in retail banking, corporate banking, private banking, as well as financial markets. Most of their staff in Prague speak English, and their website and mobile app are also available in English.
For those who often travel around Europe, there is mBank. Their biggest advantage is that they allow you to use the account, make payments, or withdraw money within the European Union for free. You can communicate with them via email or by phone in English as well.
You should now be ready to operate with the Czech currency without any problems. Any more questions regarding local ATMs, banks, or exchange offices? Don’t hesitate to contact us.
Czech Employee Card via D/VR Visa – Real case Study
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